Pregame: Illinois vs UConn, Saturday, April 4th, 5:09pm CT, TBS

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#926      
IlliniwekKDR
BZuppke said:
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Jurassic Park Ian Malcom GIF


Bet all your beach houses now, Illini Nation!
 
#927      
wc_illini
Fly Illini Fly! said:
UConn 1% ?

Like that A LOT.
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I'm sure they'll have much better representation than 1% since many of their fans live outside Connecticut, and I think we have a pretty high % of alumni residing in-state, but those numbers are so extreme that it has to be good for us.
 
#931      
Curbelo Fanboy
Champaign rolling out the liquor restrictions on Monday should we get to Monday. Nothing for Saturday oddly. And also the Monday restrictions end at midnight.

That is just lunacy. Cause if we win it all, the party will just be getting rolling at 12:00AM. Trust me. I'll be making a late night drive east from Chatham. I'm sure I won't be alone on the highway. No way would I miss this one.
 
#932      
illinitiger
Watching all the videos of the team enjoying the journey, as well they should, I worry about the distractions
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Distractions! I definitely get that concern....

bad memories of 1984 Rose Bowl team that got a pre-Rose Bowl Playboy mansion party from Hef before the game.

#4 ranked Illini lost to unranked UCLA 45-9.
I still blame Hef for that loss!
 
#933      
PepeSilvia
BrownTown said:
The game plan of attacking the rim and hoping to get Clingon in foul trouble didn’t work…..I was on here criticizing it after the game 2 years ago.

But dust it off and bring it back out!

I’d absolutely attack the basket and go at Reed who is much less disciplined. Guy is an absolute monster when he can stay on the court. UCONN doesn’t have anyone that keep Andrej away from the rim. Going to Dre early and often
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Reed isn't in the same realm as a rim protector as Clingan.

Illinois should absolutely attack the basket and play inside to open up the perimeter.

Tomi/Z knocking down a few shots would also help pull Reed outside where he would have to cover a lot of ground to protect the rim and put him out of position where it's more likely he picks up a foul.

Mirk guarding Karaban is a mismatch on the defensive end in their favor(can Mirk chase him around screens? - do you try Mirk on Mullins?). However it's also a mismatch in our favor on the offensive end. Mirk should be able to dominate if he can get close to the basket and should be able to clean up on the offensive glass.
 
#934      
Mr. Tibbs
I'm sure they'll have much better representation than 1% since many of their fans live outside Connecticut, and I think we have a pretty high % of alumni residing in-state, but those numbers are so extreme that it has to be good for us.
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and their fan base is not going to come out in droves for the 3rd time in 4 years , like ours is, as we haven't been there in 21 years
 
#948      
Se Il Illini
hoopsfan47 said:
Having watched nearly every game of the '89, '05, and '26 Illini seasons, I must admit that in '89 and '05 there was no question in my mind that the Fighting Illini were the best team in the nation. I would bet on them to win 7 or more games out of 10 against any other team if all things had been equal. Unfortunately, they finally lost to a very talented Michigan team in '89, a team they had beaten 3 times previously that season. In '05, the officiating crew decided to put Augustine on the bench making it a 5 on 4 contest the Illini could it win....in spite of a valiant effort..

This season is quite different though. I am convinced that Arizona and Cheatigan have proven to be a cut above the rest.....and UConn has a rather comfortable win over our guys that you would think proves nothing other than they should be favored.

And yet........

The Fighting Illini have finally become healthy, playing strong on both ends, and gaining confidence every day. They have the offensive weapons to score with any team for 40 min. and have improved their team defense to the point of impressing a lot of Knowledgable observers. Their height exceeds all the others and their depth is only matched by Arizona.

So why can't the Illini be the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Champions?

The bottom line is that they certainly can...but it will not be easy....for anyone.
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I am with you here. I think this will be a very diificult game to win. Until someone defeats UCONN in the Final 4 or Elite 8, it is like they are coming unto the floor with a capital S on their jerseys. With a victory Saturday that bitter taste in my mouth from the beatdown delivered in the Elite 8 a couple of years ago will dissipate.
 
#949      
Se Il Illini
hoopsfan47 said:
Having watched nearly every game of the '89, '05, and '26 Illini seasons, I must admit that in '89 and '05 there was no question in my mind that the Fighting Illini were the best team in the nation. I would bet on them to win 7 or more games out of 10 against any other team if all things had been equal. Unfortunately, they finally lost to a very talented Michigan team in '89, a team they had beaten 3 times previously that season. In '05, the officiating crew decided to put Augustine on the bench making it a 5 on 4 contest the Illini could it win....in spite of a valiant effort..

This season is quite different though. I am convinced that Arizona and Cheatigan have proven to be a cut above the rest.....and UConn has a rather comfortable win over our guys that you would think proves nothing other than they should be favored.

And yet........

The Fighting Illini have finally become healthy, playing strong on both ends, and gaining confidence every day. They have the offensive weapons to score with any team for 40 min. and have improved their team defense to the point of impressing a lot of Knowledgable observers. Their height exceeds all the others and their depth is only matched by Arizona.

So why can't the Illini be the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Champions?

The bottom line is that they certainly can...but it will not be easy....for anyone.
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I believe in 2005 Illinois' 3 point shooting was underwhelming that night also.
 
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